Since I just bought a Century Universal (don't even have it yet), I've done some searching. And that's about it...

This camera was technically made by the Century camera company, but by then (1924 or so) it was already owned, and apparently sold, by Kodak, as was Graflex. And Graflex manufactured the Century Universal as stated right on the camera. Apparently when Folmer Graflex seperated from Kodak in 1925, they also took the Century Division with them. So this camera is technically a true graflex camera. And yet there seems to be little info available about it?

This brings up a few questions...

First, anyone know where I could obtain any more info on the Universal? The only info I have ever found is the review on largeformat.info. A great article & photos, but not much about the company and manufacturing.

And, what about all those other cameras manufactured by Graflex? Has anyone ever compiled a list? Kodak bought a lot of companies and it looks like Graflex (or Folmer Graflex) manufactured a lot of them. It would be interesting to know just how many cameras Graflex made and under what names...

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"Ya just can't have too many GVIIs"
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Yes, I've been there many times. What a great selection and photos! And I suppose it shows a good reason why it's so hard to have a 'complete' list of cameras. There were so many... But what a great coffee table book it would make to show _every_ American made camera! Although I wonder if it could be a single book?

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"Ya just can't have too many GVIIs"
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The buildings were known as the Folmer-Century Works. I don't expect to see their names on material before '26 as they were all part of Ekc.

Thanks!

I've seen or heard of most of those, but not all. There seems to be quite a bit more to Graflex than most people know. So a book of all American cameras may be more than to hope for, or to put in a single volumn. But how about a book of all Graflex cameras? There are so many not covered by "Graphic Graflex Photography" and "The All-American Cameras a Review of Graflex" by Paine. How about a book of "Other Graflex Cameras"?

Now about that "Century Lantern Slide camera"? I'll have to start looking for one of those!

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"Ya just can't have too many GVIIs"
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Wouldn't the spawn of mssrs Folmer & Schwing also be considered relatives of the Graflex? that would add Cirkuts, Banquets, and Skyscrapers to the family album! Imagine what Thanksgiving Day Supper would be like at the Graflex house---

On 2003-11-15 08:57, Springback wrote:
Wouldn't the spawn of mssrs Folmer & Schwing also be considered relatives of the Graflex? that would add Cirkuts, Banquets, and Skyscrapers to the family album! Imagine what Thanksgiving Day Supper would be like at the Graflex house---